 By Staff
November 25th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
City Council has approved amendments to the temporary Mask By-law and Physical Distancing By-law to extend both to expire June 30, 2022. They were set to expire on Dec. 31, 2021.
 Mayor Meed Ward – she wasn’t always a mask advocate – but she caught on quickly. Council has removed Community Centre from the physical distancing requirement in the Physical Distancing By-law as those requirements are regulated under other provincial legislation.
As the pandemic evolves, Council has the ability to pass a motion at any time to revoke these by-laws. The expiry date of June 30 can be repealed in March should COVID-19 conditions be favourable and the Province lifts their mask mandate.
This does not mean that levels of health and safety protections will be reduced in these City facilities or that physical distancing will not be maintained.
Quick Facts:
- The By-laws were implemented in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of the community
- The amendments in 2020 to the City’s temporary Mask By-law were made for consistency with Halton Region’s Mask By-law
 By Staff
November 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario College of Family Physicians announces an Award of Excellence given to Burlington family physician Dr. Jennifer Kwan.
 Dr. Jennifer Kwan The College of Family Physicians of Canada Awards of Excellence recognize family doctors for exceptional achievement within the past 24 months in the specialty of family medicine. Nominations are made by peers or the public and are submitted to the provincial chapter of which the nominee is a member.
“These doctors have demonstrated tremendous leadership, dedication and service to their communities – Dr. Kwan, especially through her advocacy and public education on COVID-19.
Dr. Kwan exemplifies the vital role family physicians play across Ontario as clinicians, advocates, teachers, and researchers
 Dr. Kwan at her work station. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Jennifer Kwan has become a household name, known for the public health data she disseminated daily via Twitter (@jkwan_md). For more than a year and a half, she has presented information in a simple, transparent graphical format, making her Twitter feed a go-to resource for many. Physicians and the public alike find reliable data about COVID cases, testing, hospitalizations, vaccinations, trends over time, and more—enabling Ontarians to see how our behaviours were shaping the pandemic.
At a crucial point of the pandemic, Dr. Kwan led projects to provide health facilities with needed personal protective equipment (PPE). That included building an online portal to facilitate PPE donations and, as a director of the Halton Region Chinese Canadian Association, helping to coordinate the donation of more than 5,000 masks and other PPE to local physicians’ offices and care providers at a time when these were scarce. Dr. Kwan was also an early advocate for public masking and helped found the grassroots volunteer group, Masks4Canada, whose efforts contributed to Canada’s eventual adoption of a masking policy.
Faced with threats and insults from naysayers on social media, Dr. Kwan has persevered in sharing reliable information, which she believes empowers Ontarians to understand their own health. She has appeared on media programs to promote public health messages and help Ontarians understand how the pandemic is affecting them. It should come as no surprise, then, that she is highly respected among infectious disease and other colleagues: Her nomination for the Award of Excellence was signed by over 70 physicians in all different specialties from across the province.
“Dr. Kwan has been nothing short of a powerhouse during the pandemic,” said Dr. Gina Eom, University of Toronto. “She has been an inspirational leader, and physicians all across the province have appreciated her work which she has undertaken on her own mission, without any financial or academic incentive.”
By Pepper Parr
November 17th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Taking a long look at the bigger picture and looking back at what the city has gone through in, as Executive Director Sheila Jones put it – a 609 day Journey – calls for a pause and the question – what’s next?
While we all seem to think that “normal” might be returning no one is set yet to bet real money on a date.
Once a month Council gets taken through a report the Emergency Coordination Group (ECG) uses to advise on what has been done, where the city is financially – tax collections are good and revenue losses as a result of the pandemic are stabilizing.
The city is still in a State of Emergency and no one is certain just when that is going to come to an end and what the process will be to get back to the normal we once knew.
A graphic was put up on the screen – this is where we have been.
 Just ups and then down – city hall has managed to keep the wheels on the wagon and on balance has done a good job. The wear and tear on staff has been significant.
By Staff
November 11th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Eric Vandewall, President & CEO of the Joseph Brant Hospital, released the following statement:
In accordance with provincial direction, Joseph Brant Hospital established COVID-19 Immunization and Management policies in September that apply to everyone who works at and with the hospital.
 Like many other hospitals in Ontario including those in our region, we recognize the importance of mandatory vaccination of health care workers as a critical tool in protecting patients, physicians, staff and volunteers safety, as well as avoiding disruption to vital hospital services and programs.
For these reasons, we made it a requirement under our policy that all JBH employees, credentialed staff (such as physicians), contracted staff, learners and volunteers are to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 1, unless they have a medical or Human Rights code exemption.
As of November 9:
1,770 (97.25%) of our active JBH employees are fully vaccinated
38 JBH employees have been placed on an unpaid leave of absence for not meeting the requirements of the hospital’s policy
13 JBH employees have been terminated
When it comes to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, each hospital is responsible for making decisions in the best interest of their patients and the communities they serve. All of our actions – including mandatory COVID-19 vaccination – are guided by our mission to provide quality patient care through our values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. It is what our community expects and what we strive for every day.
 Eric Vandewall, President & CEO of the Joseph Brant Hospital We also took this step with careful and thoughtful consideration of the potential impacts. Vaccination rates among our staff and medical professionals who work in our hospital have risen steadily since we introduced these policies two months ago. This helps reduce transmission of COVID-19 and decreases the risk of disruption to hospital operations caused by outbreaks and other unexpected staff absences due to illness.
Although the Ontario government has indicated that at this time there will be no province-wide mandate requiring all healthcare workers to become fully vaccinated, our commitment to our mandatory vaccination policies has not changed. We believe it is the right decision for JBH, to protect the safety of our patients, their loved ones, our teams and our community.
Thank you for your support of our hospital. Please, stay safe and take care.
 By Pepper Parr
November 9th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
That normal we are all looking for may not be as close as we would like.
Council met today to review the masking by law – looks like the best we are going to get is sometime in June 2022.
Discussion was on By-law amendments to extend COVID By-laws into 2022. They started with a recommendation to extend the expiry date of the by-law to June 30, 2022
The wearing of masks is something the province put into place; the Regional government then put their by-law in place and Burlington followed the Region.
Mayor Meed Ward was not an advocate for the wearing of masks when it was becoming clear that the world was in a pandemic. To her credit she figured out that she was about to be on the wrong side of history and she began to wear a mask – she still does. During debate Mayor Meed Ward said she could see the province making an announcement late on a Friday afternoon – “as they often do” she said – and the city would have to scramble to get onside with the province.
After close to an hour of discussion that focused on the messaging and the need to be consistent Council came up with a solution that will become official at the November 23rd Council meeting.
Couple of things that council didn’t seem to appreciate – first not that many people are following the mask rules – they apply to city locations so the city has to be onside.
However, the moment the Premier makes an announcement the news will zip around the province and the masks will come off in a flash.
If there is an announcement from the province it won’t come at the end of June – it will be made about a week before the provincial election on June 2nd of 2022.
Part of the reason for debating the bylaws today was that they are set to expire on December 31, 2021 and although statistics on vaccination rates and infections are improving, it is expected that Public Health recommendations regarding these measures will extend past December 31, 2021.
A date of June 30, 2022 has been chosen merely for administrative purposes to lessen the chance that another report is required to extend the by-laws – ultimately reducing the workload for staff.
While the Province has indicated that their mask mandate may be lifted as early as the end of March 2022, staff are not recommending this as an official expiry date as it would still cause administrative issues.
Removal of Community Centres from Physical Distancing By-law
The Physical Distancing By-law requires that a minimum distance of 2 metres be maintained between non-household members on any public property within the City of Burlington. The by-law includes our Community Centres and indoor fitness locations.
Community Centres and indoor fitness locations have also been specifically regulated in the Reopening Ontario Act (unlike other buildings such as City Hall). Until recently, provincial regulations and city by-laws have aligned.
Recent amendments to the Reopening Ontario Act, Ontario Regulation 727/21 have now eliminated the capacity limit for our indoor community/fitness centre locations as long as ‘proof of vaccine’ policies are applied.
 We all got used to keeping our distance when meeting with people. This means if Physical Distancing By-law 17-2020 is extended as recommended, staff will need to determine a capacity limit for these locations which will ensure users can still meet the 2 metre distance requirement. This may result in a capacity that is less than allowed under current provincial legislation which could affect programming.
Given Community Centres are specifically regulated in the Reopening Act Ontario, they are subject to ‘proof of vaccine’ policies and directives from both the Provincial and Halton Region Medical Officers of Health in relation to their operations (due to the sport operation), staff no longer feel it is necessary to also include them in Physical Distancing By-law 17-2020.
This does not mean that levels of protection will be reduced in these facilities or that physical distancing will not be maintained. Removing an additional regulation would make it easier for staff to program the facilities for the future and reduce the number of publications that need to be reviewed in tandem.
By Staff
November 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is expanding eligibility for booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to additional groups of high-risk individuals starting November 6, 2021, providing them with an extra layer of protection against the Delta variant. Over the coming months, Ontario is also prepared to gradually roll out booster doses to all Ontarians aged 12 and over.
While the province continues to report one of the lowest rates of active cases in the country and continues to make steady progress in vaccinating more individuals, offering the extra layer of protection provided by a booster dose will contribute to the fight against COVID-19.
 “Keeping a low rate of infection in our communities and protecting our most vulnerable is how we can keep our schools, businesses and social settings as safe as possible while avoiding further lockdowns,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “To provide every individual the best protection while learning to live with the virus for the long-term, we are prepared to expand booster eligibility to all Ontarians pending clinical recommendations, with eligibility expanding this week to individuals who face a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.”
Based on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and in alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s (NACI) recent recommendation, the province will begin offering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the following vulnerable populations if at least six months have passed since their last dose:
• Individuals aged 70 and over (born in 1951 or earlier);
• Health care workers and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (including long-term care home and retirement home staff and designated caregivers);
• Individuals who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine (two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine); and
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members.
Booster doses are being offered to these groups based on evidence of gradual waning immunity six months after receiving their second dose and a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Starting on Saturday, November 6 at 8:00 a.m., eligible individuals will be able to book their booster dose appointment through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, directly through public health units that use their own booking systems, through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, select pharmacies, and primary care settings.
Eligible individuals can book appointments at a Halton Region Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic through Halton’s online booking system, starting Saturday, November 6, 2021.
Hospital-based health care workers are encouraged to reach out to their hospital employer to get vaccinated directly through their hospital’s vaccination program.
Locations and timing for booster doses may vary by public health unit based on local planning and considerations.
In addition, Ontario is once again supporting northern and remote fly in First Nation communities by launching Operation Remote Immunity 3.0, this time through the co-development of plans with Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, to support Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority and Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, First Nation health organizations, to administer booster doses in their communities with transportation and vaccine supply assistance from Ornge and local public health units.
While the COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective, the province is prepared to expand eligibility for a booster dose to all Ontarians over time. Based on Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout for first and second doses, expansion of eligibility for booster doses will be based on age and risk, with an interval of six to eight months from the second dose.
“Ontario is continuing the success of our vaccine rollout by expanding eligibility for a booster shot based on age and risk,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As we continue rolling out our Last Mile Strategy to vaccinate as many Ontarians as possible, providing an extra layer of protection starting with our most vulnerable is critical as we continue to safely reopen and manage COVID-19 for the long-term.”
During the height of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, a large population of Ontarians received their first and second doses at a longer interval than indicated on the product monograph. This longer interval has now been shown to improve duration of protection, and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization now recommends an optimal interval of eight weeks between first and second doses.
“The expansion of eligibility for booster shots is one more step that our government is taking to protect Ontarians and keep our communities safe,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “As with the initial administration of COVID-19 vaccines, the phased rollout of booster shots ensures that vulnerable groups are prioritized and can easily access booster shots through pharmacies, clinics and health care providers.”
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for children aged five to 11 is subject to Health Canada approval. Ontario is working with public health units across the province to prepare to vaccinate children aged five to 11. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 is a distinct formulation at a lower dose and supply of vaccine that will be rolled out in parallel to booster doses.
By Staff
November 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is providing an update on its staff vaccination numbers in accordance with the City’s COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Policy. This policy is applicable to all City staff, regardless of work location. All City staff are required to show proof of vaccination, with some exceptions for those who are legally entitled to accommodation.
 As of Tuesday, Nov. 2:
• 97% of City staff have submitted their vaccination status as required by the City’s COVID-19 staff vaccination policy
• 88% of City’s total work force (includes full-time and part-time employees) are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
This percentage reflects how many staff in our total workforce are vaccinated and not the vaccine status of only those staff who have supplied their vaccination information.
There is additional work underway to collect outstanding vaccination status submissions and up to date information will continue to be gathered.
Quick facts
• City staff who are unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated are required to participate in regular Rapid Antigen Testing prior to entering the workplace.
• Starting Oct.4, required Rapid Antigen Testing was provided to unvaccinated individuals by the City. After Nov.26, the City will no longer provide Rapid Antigen Testing and an unvaccinated individual will be required to arrange and pay for their own
Rapid Antigen Testing.
• As part of the City’s commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace, employees are also required to complete an e-screening form prior to entering a City facility.
• There are 1500+ employees at the City.
• City Council has fully supported the City’s COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Policy. This policy also applies to members of City Council.
Tim Commisso, City Manager explains that: “The City, as an employer, has an obligation under Ontario law to take all necessary precautions to protect its workers. We continue to gather the vaccination status of staff to give us a clear and accurate picture of our total workforce and serve our community through this pandemic.”
By Staff
November 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional Municipality of Halton Medical Officer of Health amended Instructions that were issued on October 19th to include:a grace period of 12 weeks for children turning 12 years old, to allow a reasonable opportunity for their vaccination to be completed.
Fully vaccinated – please. On October 19, 2021, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Dr. Hamidah Meghani, issued a letter of instructions to indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to implement vaccination policies that require all eligible individuals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in organized sports and recreational fitness activities in these settings.
The amended letter of instructions released today adds a grace period of 12 weeks for children turning 12 years old, to allow a reasonable opportunity for their vaccination to be completed.
Halton’s MOH, Dr. Meghani, reminds all residents that while Provincial regulations have recently changed to remove capacity limits and requirements for physical distancing in facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, other important public health requirements remain in place. These include requiring proof of vaccination, screening, masking, contact tracing, cleaning/disinfection and safety plans to describe the measures and procedures implemented to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Dr. Meghani also strongly encourages facilities (including facility operators and permit holders) to continue to implement physical distancing for all children 11 years and younger (who are not eligible for vaccination at this time) participating in organized sports and recreational fitness activities, or activities of any kind in which masking may be inconsistent.
To read Dr. Meghani’s amended instructions for businesses/organizations with indoor facilities used for Organized Sports and Recreational Fitness Activities or for additional public health information and guidance, please visit halton.ca/COVID19.
 By Staff
November 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
If you haven’t been fully vaccinated yet, here’s your chance!
GO-VAXX bus coming to Burlington
 The Go-VAXX bus will at Burlington’s Maple Park (750 Maple Avenue) in Burlington on Nov. 3, 11am to 7pm
No appointment is necessary and anyone born in 2009 and before is eligible to get vaccinated.
Which vaccine you will get
The GO-VAXX buses are administering the Pfizer vaccine.
What to bring with you
If you would like to get vaccinated at a GO-VAXX bus mobile clinic, remember to:
• bring your health card — if you do not have a health card or if it’s expired, bring another form of government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, status card, or birth certificate
• eat and drink something before you arrive at your appointment to prevent feeling faint or dizzy while being vaccinated
• dress for the weather in case there is a line-up
• wear clothing that allows for easy access to your upper arm, such as a loose-fitting top or a t-shirt
• wear a mask that covers your nose, mouth and chin
Do not visit the GO-VAXX bus if you have symptoms of COVID-19covid 19.
Stay safe, stay healthy and be grateful.
By Staff
October 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Following the Province’s announcement to lift capacity limits in select settings where proof of vaccination is required, the City of Burlington will begin to move towards gradually increasing capacities for recreation facilities and programs. Visitors and participants are asked for patience as the City works toward returning to pre-pandemic capacity as programming is expanded where possible. To accommodate the changes, some programs may have to change times, dates or locations.
Some drop-in programs will see an immediate increase in capacity. Pre-registration is still required for all drop-in programs.
Capacities for registered programs and community rentals at rinks, pools, meeting rooms and community centres will also begin to increase gradually.
All current regulations around proof of vaccination, screening, masking and physical distancing remain.
For more information on what to expect when visiting City of Burlington recreation facilities and programs, visit burlington.ca/coronavirus.
 City Hall
Service Burlington is open at City Hall. Residents can visit Service Burlington Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for:
• Parking permits and ticket payments
• Property tax payments
• Freedom of Information payments
• Garbage tag purchases
• Dog licenses
• Property information requests
• Recreation services payments
Marriage licenses and Commissioning services are also available at City Hall by appointment. Make your booking online at burlington.ca/marriagelicences or burlington.ca/commissioning.
To connect directly with a member of the Service Burlington team, call 905-335-7777 or email city@burlington.ca.
Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Building and Bylaw Department Changes
The Building and Bylaw Department has seen a drastic increase in building permit and bylaw inquiries/complaints over the past 18 months. To help streamline the work, anyone looking for services regarding building permits, building inspections, licensing services or bylaw enforcement, can contact the City the following ways:
Service Area Contact them when…
Building Permits • Inquiries and complaints (e.g., permit application status, permit pickup, etc.)
• Telephone: 905-335-7731, ext. 7470
• Email: buildingpermits@burlington.ca
Building Inspections • Inquiries and complaints (e.g. illegal construction, construction sites, unsafe buildings, etc.)
• Telephone: 905-335-7731, ext. 7470
• Email: buildingpermits@burlington.ca
Licensing Services • Inquiries and complaints (e.g., business licenses, pool/sign permits, lottery/liquor licences)
• Telephone: 905-335-7731
• Email: bylaw@burlington.ca
Bylaw Enforcement • Inquiries and complaints (e.g., property standards, nuisance/noise, lot maintenance, etc.)
• Telephone: 905-335-7731
• Email: bylaw@burlington.ca
 By Tamara De Dominicis
October 25th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON’
When you go to the emergency room of the hospital, you are at your most vulnerable. No matter the reason that you need to see a doctor, something prompted you to seek out medical attention and you need help. At Joseph Brant Hospital, current rules state that patients visiting the emergency department may only have a caregiver or support person under “special circumstances, such as for patients with cognitive, mobility or language difficulties” (Joseph Brant Hospital). This is unacceptable for numerous reasons, which I will outline below.
 The necessity of a support person in emergency should not be limited by Covid 19 protocols says resident. Let us first review the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Burlington, Ontario at the end of October 2021. At present, there are 5 active cases of COVID at the hospital, with 120 cases reported in the entire City of Burlington in the last 30 days (Joseph Brant Hospital) (Halton Region). Vaccination rate is 84% for the eligible population in Halton and with the system of vaccine passports in place, it is possible to access nonessential services (Hennessey and Rosella). That is, one can eat indoors at restaurants, go to movies, concerts, or games, use sports and recreation facilities, and even go to nightclubs (Ministry of Health).
If you decide to go to a restaurant, all you must do is provide your name and information for contact tracing to the host, then show your proof of vaccination and identification. But if you try and go to the hospital to support your spouse, family member or child, you are not permitted to do so unless that person isn’t able to advocate for themselves at that moment, regardless of whether you are vaccinated or inhabit the same household as the patient in question.
I understand the need to limit the spread of COVID-19; however, the pandemic is not the only medical concern that affects Burlington citizens. A year and a half into the pandemic medical professionals are busy, overworked, and exhausted (Science Table COVID-19 Advisory for Ontario). Wait times in the emergency room are long and the waiting area is unattended by medical personnel (Joseph Brant Hospital). Arriving at emergency, the person who determines the patient’s capacity to communicate their medical needs is not a medical practitioner at all but rather a volunteer. I do not believe that a person who possesses no medical training or licensing should be permitted to give medical advice that must be followed. Furthermore, a critical medical situation can change rapidly, with a patient perhaps being able to advocate for themselves when they first enter emergency, and their health changing so that they are no longer able to do so.
 Burlington MP Karina Gould, centre, with Minister of Defence Harjit Singh Sajjan looking through a scrapbook with a veteran at the hospital. I have personally witnessed several situations that illustrate the necessity of a support person in emergency. One patient insisted they did not need a caregiver; the person who accompanied them then informed the volunteer their parent had dementia. A father brought his teenage son for care after a concussion who was also told to leave; he refused, the patient’s symptoms worsened, and he was not able to explain his medical history without his father’s help. An elderly woman fell in the washroom and spent 15 minutes on the floor despite her daughter calling repeatedly for help. How much worse would these situations have become without a person present to advocate for the patient?
Other hospitals in the Halton and surrounding area have recognized the need for caregivers to attend their loved ones in the emergency room. At the hospitals included in the Halton Healthcare Network, emergency room patients are permitted two support people (Halton Healthcare). It is time for Burlington’s hospital to support both its staff and its citizens by allowing caregivers and support people in the emergency room.
Works Cited
Halton Healthcare. Emergency Department. 2020. Web. 23 October 2021.
Halton Region. Halton Cases By Neighbourhood. 22 October 2021. Web. 23 October 2021.
Hennessey, Melanie and Louie Rosella. Tracking the COVID vaccine rollout in Halton.
23 October 2021. Web. 23 October 2021.
Joseph Brant Hospital. COVID-19. n.d. Web. 23 October 2021.
—. Emergency Department. n.d. Web. 23 October 2021.
Ministry of Health. Proof of Vaccination. 15 October 2021. Web. 23 October 2021. Science Table COVID-19 Advisory for Ontario. “Burnout in Hospital-Based Healthcare
Workers during COVID-19.” Science Briefs (2021): 1-24. Web.
Tamara De Dominicis (she/her) is a poet in ceaseless conversation with the natural landscape. Her two poetry collections, “Where the landscape listens” and “wayward weeds” communicate the parallel and sympathetic concerns of people and the natural world while excavating the connections of memory and place. She is the founder and editor of Wildflower Press, a small digital press with the aim of giving voice and distribution to local talent. Her pandemic project, The Window Zine, brought together art and artists of different mediums to convert creativity into funds for community organizations. She lives in Burlington, Ontario with her spouse and their pets.
 By Staff
October 22nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Regional Police Service is issuing a Public Alert after responding to five non-fatal, unintentional overdoses overnight (October 21-22, 2021).
This is the largest cluster of suspected overdose-related calls since the beginning of the pandemic. In the month of October, HRPS has attended 33 overdoses; 13 in the past week alone.
Locations
Four of the drug poisonings occurred in Oakville and one occurred in Burlington.
Substances
Fentanyl is believed/known to have been involved in three of the five overdoses. More specifically, purple fentanyl contributed to two of the overnight drug poisonings.
 Response
Naloxone and CPR were administered by police and/or bystanders to revive two of the victims. As a result of these lifesaving efforts, including those provided by our EMS and Fire first responder partners, these victims were successfully revived. Every life saved today is an opportunity for recovery tomorrow.
Advice for People Who Use Drugs
Never use alone. Use one at a time. Don’t use drugs alone, and don’t let those around you use alone either. If you are using with someone else, don’t use at the same time. If an overdose occurs, having another person nearby can save your life. If you must use alone, we encourage you to download the Brave App. The Brave App is designed to connect people at risk of overdose with help they need: an ally you can talk to, a human supporter to help you stay safe, and digital monitoring technology to help you when you’re in danger. The Brave App is not a substitute for calling 911.
Know your tolerance and always use a small amount of a drug first to check the strength. Remember that any drug can be cut with, or contaminated by, other agents or drugs (e.g. fentanyl), which in very small amounts can be harmful or fatal.
Carry naloxone, a drug that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone is available free-of-charge in Halton at Halton Region clinics (in Acton, Burlington, Georgetown, Milton and Oakville), Halton Region Needle Exchange Program (Exchange Works), and some local pharmacies. To find a pharmacy that distributes naloxone, visit the Ontario government’s web page.
Don’t run. Call 9-1-1. An overdose is a medical emergency. Know the signs of an overdose and call 9-1-1 right away. Our frontline officers, and other first responders in Halton, carry naloxone and we want to assist. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides broad legal protections for anyone seeking emergency support during an overdose, including the person experiencing an overdose. This means citizens, including youth, will not be charged for offences such as simple possession for calling 9-1-1 in an emergency.
By Staff
October 20th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington will continue to follow the Provincial mandate and require proof of vaccination in City recreational facilities for all who are eligible for the vaccines.
City-operated services and facilities not impacted include:
- City Hall at 426 Brant St.
- Outdoor sports fields
- Diamonds, parks and playgrounds
- Burlington Transit
- Halton Court Services
 Parents can watch – but they must show their proof of vaccination papers. To enter a City facility, visitors will need to show a piece of identification with their name and date of birth and either:
• Show their vaccine certificate with QR code (paper or electronic), or
• Show their vaccination receipt (paper or electronic)
Parents and/or guardians may enter a facility for a maximum of 15 minutes to drop off and pick-up a participant for a program, without showing proof of vaccination. Parents who are required to stay in the facility for the duration of the program must be fully vaccinated.
All current regulations around screening, masking and physical distancing will not change based vaccine status.
To download your vaccine certificate, go to ontario.ca/get-proof.
 By Mark Maycock
October 19th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
If you weren’t yet aware, many things are going on in the area these days, and many residents are enjoying the autumn season.
Those who have been raring to go out can do so with more enjoyment if they visit the Royal Botanical Gardens – where there is an ongoing interactive exhibition on artwork.
 Seeing the Invisible at Royal Botanical Gardens The exhibition, entitled ‘Seeing the Invisible,’ is arguably the most expansive and ambitious exhibition the Gardens has to date. It features a range of contemporary and modern artwork complemented by AR or augmented reality technology.
What it is
We can’t deny the significance of this exhibition, especially since it uses AR technology, which is astounding in many ways. But what exactly is AR? AR or augmented reality is a technology that can add or augment any viewer’s perception of their environment. In most cases, the digital info is superimposed on a real-life setting, but this is fixed in a specific place. At the same time, the user or viewer moves around the environment or moves their gadget around the environment.
The exhibit itself was developed in partnership with other botanical gardens worldwide, and Seeing the Invisible was first launched on September 23 as a participating botanical garden among a total of 12 in various countries. It’s worth noting, however, that it’s the only participating botanical garden in Canada.
What you can expect
The exhibition features work from over a dozen global artists. Its theme expounds on the wonders of nature, sustainability, and the environment, delivering an exploration of connections and boundaries between nature, technology, and art.
 Hendrie Gardens at the Royal Botanical Gardens – a world class location You can engage with the exhibition once you download an app, and it fosters brilliant collaboration between audiences, institutions, and artists. It’s a great way to emphasize and showcase how art can bring people together. Once you’re in the app, you will come across 13 interactive and unique artworks, and these are all spread around the landscape of Hendrie Gardens. You can even take photos with the larger-than-life artwork, and you can essentially walk around the exhibit and listen to an audio plugin that makes your experience even more artistic and memorable.
The exhibit is now at Hendrie Gardens, and anyone can visit it from Thursday to Sunday. Seeing the Invisible runs until the 6th of November, and it operates between the hours of 10 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.
The details
To attend, you can pre-register and buy a ticket, and when you purchase your ticket, you will have to choose your preferred time and date. There are six slots; namely, 10 am, 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 in the afternoon.
Tickets cost $24.50 for general admission and only $21.50 for senior citizens and students/youth, with ticket prices at $16.50 for kids aged 4 to 12 and only $2 for members of the Royal Botanical Gardens.
It’s good news for those who are still spending a lot of time at home during the pandemic. But if you want to make more of your time at home, you can also play in an online casino in Canada – who knows, luck may be on your side after you’ve been inspired by the gorgeous interactive technology and the artwork you’ve just experienced.
By Staff
October 19th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Dr. Hamidah Meghani, has issued a letter of instructions to indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to implement vaccination policies that require all eligible individuals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in organized sports and recreational fitness activities in these settings.
 For businesses and organizations, this means establishing, implementing and ensuring compliance with a COVID-19 vaccination policy by no later than November 26, 2021 for all persons 12 years and older who attend an indoor area of the indoor sport or recreational facility for the purpose of actively participating, coaching, training, instructing, officiating or having similar involvement in organized sports and recreational fitness activities.
These instructions are being introduced to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and outbreaks, further protecting the health of all participants, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators and others including those with weaker immune systems or who cannot be vaccinated because of their age or for medical reasons.
 Robust compliance with masking, physical distancing and other public health measures in all facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities in Halton Region also remains essential to protect our community.
To read Dr. Meghani’s instructions for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities or for additional public health information and guidance, please visit halton.ca/COVID19.
By Pepper Parr
October 14th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
From a source that has been reliable in the past there is word that the current Emergency State put in place across the province that has the day to day operation of the city in the hands of the administration
All the municipalities have been in that state since March 17th, 2019, less than a month later Mayor Meed Ward declared a State of Emergency for the city.
Municipalities created Emergency Coordinating Groups that meet regularly and can meet in minutes if they have to should there be an emergency.
The City Manager keeps the Mayor up to date and the Mayor takes part in meetings but is not believed to be a member of the ECG.
The Mayor does have one on one meetings with the City Manager on a regular basis.
 From the left: City Manager, Tim Commisso; Treasurer Joan Ford and Executive Director Sheila Jones kept it all together as the city weathered a pandemic. At least once a month, usually during the week Standing Committee meetings take place, Sheila Jones, one of the Executive Directors, takes Council through everything the city staff plan to do or change in the way city services are delivered.
 There is also an update on where things stand financially as well as updates on anything that pertains to the administrative functioning of the city.
With an ECG handling changes in the way services are delivered municipalities had access to funds which city manager Tim Commisso at the time said was a good position to be in.
The city’s financial picture has benefited significantly as the result of the tens of millions that have flowed from the province to the city.
It is not clear at this time if the city will revise the way Council meetings are held if the Emergency is lifted. At this point in time they are all virtual – the sentiment apparently being that members of Council like it that way, see it as an alternate version of real engagement.
 Kudos to Kearns for holding ward meetings that were both live and virtual. Ward 2 Council member Lisa Kearns has been holding ward meetings that are both live and virtual. Kudos to her for breaking the barrier that most members of council are quite happy to keep in place.
The Mayor has said that she prefers the “virtual approach” – the city “gets more work from me when I can work from home”. We also get to hear the dog yelping.
A benefit that might not be recognized or appreciated right away is just how well many senior staff members have performed. Executive Director Sheila Jones has come into her own; rallying the troops and delivering all kinds of support and positive feed back every chance she gets.
City treasurer Joan Ford, always reliable – proved to be a rock that both Jones and the City Manager Tim Commisso could rely on.
There were a couple of staff members who, Amber Rushton in particular, who served the city manager in a way that certainly impressed him.
Related news article:
Province declares State of Emergency March 17, 2019
Mayor declares State of Emergency
City Manager gets close to a blank cheque
By Pepper Parr
October 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
While the vast majority are choosing to be vaccinated – there are holdouts.
City Hall is getting to the point where they want to take a stronger position and insist that people be vaccinated in order to be able to go to work.
 City manager Tim Commisso talked to a Standing Committee yesterday on what has been learned to date on the status of staff vaccinations: Who has and who hasn’t?
The surveying work being done is not yet complete and Commisso was a little hesitant in putting out numbers that were not as complete as he wanted them to be – so he offered no data. He did say there was a metric – comes out as kind of the percentage that is vaccinated.
The city deadline for responses from Staff of what their vaccination status is was last Friday. Data was collected in a very private, kind of confidential way.
Commisso wants to be able to provide the percentage of staff that fall into the three options.
“One of the things that we’re finding is the level of non declaration or however it’s positioned because obviously it’s the first thing that we asked.
“A real number for us is, what is the percentage of our total staff that are vaccinated? That’s where we’re focusing on right now.
“The survey work is being done by a security company under contract. Boyd reported that they are spending eight hours a day, inputting all of our staffs status in a spreadsheet for us. We should expect to have kind of a good realistic solid number by mid next week which would make it October 13th or so.”
The reporting options are: vaccination; Testing and exemptions
Commisso wants to know : What are the percentages for each category?
 Executive Director Human Resources Laura Boyd The federal government has taken the approach that you get vaccinated by a certain day – if you’re not, you’re on unpaid leave. And then if you’re still not by the end of the unpaid leave you’re terminated.
There are consequences for those who choose not to be vaccinated. “At the city what we’ve said to our employees is, if you’re not going to be vaccinated then you have to be tested regularly. And if the tests are negative they can continue to come to work, we won’t have to terminate we won’t have to put them on unpaid leave.”
Boyd was then asked to clarify: ” Am I recalling correctly from the last time we had this conversation that we are supporting staff who are unable or choose not to get vaccinated by allowing the repetition and testing, which is great.
“And my understanding was is that the city was going to cover the cost of that for a certain period of time and then the cost would be transferred to the employee. Am I understanding that correctly?”
Boyd replied. “Yes, Absolutely we are covering the cost of the rapid testing up until November 26; after November 26 If they continue to choose not to be vaccinated they will have to arrange to pay for the testing themselves and submit the data to us.”
 By Pepper Parr
October 6th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The provincial Medical Officer of Health announced earlier this week that Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) would be used at the school level but only in areas where the level of new infections was high.
 It is a painless process – takes just seconds and the results are available in just minutes. Halton Region Public Health is reviewing the information received today from the Chief Medical Officer of Health and will work with school boards should the need arise for RAT distribution at a local school.
In its announcement the Halton Region MoH said: “We will continue to work closely with our school board partners to prevent COVID-19 transmission in schools through multiple strategies.
Rapid COVID-19 antigen tests can detect COVID-19 in a preliminary fashion, providing results faster than a traditional PCR test. The trade-off is rapid tests do not provide a definitive result or diagnosis.
As a reminder, it is important to continue with the current strategies that have been working effectively in our community including masking, cohorting, daily screening and vaccination for all those eligible in the school environment.
 Covid19 data for Burlington as of October 5th.
By Staff
October 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
As Canadians prepare to celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, Canadian Blood Services is encouraging residents of Burlington to keep patients in need of blood products in mind. Hospital patients are grateful for Canadians who take the time to donate blood, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 We manage the national supply of blood products for all the provinces and territories (excluding Quebec). Many variables can impact our inventory such as weather, holidays or tragic events. Below is an overview of our inventory levels across all blood types. Donations often decrease during long weekends. Travel and family activities make it challenging for people to find time to donate but the demand for blood never stops. Blood donations before and during Thanksgiving will help ensure that ongoing patient needs are met.
At 1250 Brant St. in Burlington, there are many open appointments to fill at the donation event on Monday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Donors who make an appointment are encouraged to keep it as missed or cancelled appointments are difficult to fill. If you’re unable to make it to your appointment, please cancel it so someone else can take your place and consider re-booking in coming months.
 In compliance with the Public Health Agency of Canada’s direction to enable physical distancing, at this time, we can only welcome people with appointments.
If you’re in general good health, please book and honour your appointment to help patients. Download the GiveBlood app and join Canada’s Lifeline. Please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book now at blood.ca.
By Pepper Parr
September 27th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Many in Burlington have been patiently waiting for the federal government to announce that Terry Fox will be on the next version of the five dollar $5.00 bill. They aren’t ready to announce yet. The wheels turn slowly.
 Hopefully they will not be as slow when the Office of the Governor General, where the Order of Canada awards and announcements are made, decide that the two Michael’s are to be made Members of the Order of Canada.
There is a process of course and it has to be followed – but is this not a very special situation ?
 Michael Kovrig on the left, Michael Spavor on the right Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor spent more than 1000 days in wretched jail cells, cooped up with others because the Chinese government wanted to force the Canadian government to let one of their citizens return to China. We are not going to name the Chinese citizen – enough attention has been wasted on her.
All she had to do was admit what she eventually did admit she had done.
The Michaels are different – they stood strong during a very hard situation. Now they have to adjust and learn about all the things they missed. Their credit cards have to be renewed; do they have places to live? Do they have jobs? Is their mental health good?
Both men are going to need time to adjust – they will need as much privacy as media and the public in general can give them. In the immediate future though, there is an opportunity for their government to formally recognize their contribution to making this country what it is.
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